Taking to Instagram, the 44-year-old CMT star penned an emotional post about his journey to self-acceptance:

“2017. As we start a new year, there is something I want to share with you. You see, I’m gay. This is not a choice I made, but something I’ve known about myself my whole life. Through life’s twists and turns, marriage, divorce, fatherhood, successes, failures – I’ve landed on this day, a day when I’m happier and healthier than I’ve ever been. And I’m finally comfortable enough for everyone to know this truth about me. Thanks for following me and supporting me over the years. As we continue our journey, I hope this news won’t change how you see me. I’m still the same Cody I always was. You just know a little more about me now. My hope for the future is to live the most honest, authentic, loving, and open life possible. Here’s to being happy with yourself, no matter who you are, who you love, where you come from, or what cards life has dealt you. Thanks again. With much heart, Cody”

“Though my TV or my radio persona was always that of a happy guy, there was this underlying ache inside of me for years, so I decided either I was gonna do something about it, or I was gonna live with this layer of misery underneath that happy face on the TV. Once I realized it was okay to accept the truth, that it wasn’t my choice, it was a lot easier to start figuring out where to go with my life next.”

Of his marriage twenty years ago when he was 24, Cody said:

“I felt like getting married was what I was supposed to do. It’s what everyone wanted me to do, and I felt, somehow, like maybe that’s what would make me straight and obviously that’s not how it works! But I dreamed of that family, which I now have.”

But ultimately, Cody had to reveal his truth to his now-ex-wife:

“I expressed to [my wife] about 10 years ago that I had these feelings, that I knew this about myself, so we started on the road from there, like, How do we deal with it?’ I couldn’t, in good conscience. It wasn’t fair to her. Everyone needs to give 100 percent of their heart for a true, committed relationship. But ultimately, my ex and I knew there was no way that could ever happen.”

After that, he started coming out to his close friends and family — who he says were very receptive:

“I started approaching my closest friends and family first and let them know that this is something that’s been a part of my life since I was a kid and that through all my decisions in my life, I’d come to a point where I felt really happy with where I was. I wanted them to know where I’ve been and who I am.”

Now, Cody has found a partner, occupational therapist Michael Smith:

“He’s an amazing person incredibly strong and confident and loving and he’s really helped me face these battles. He’s already battled so much of what I’ve been or am going through, so his strength has boosted my own confidence.”